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The Tour Rolls On

Hello from Tokyo.I am in Japan, surrounded by many of the most passionate baseball fans in the world.The only thing on their minds is how their team will fare in the World Baseball Classic.I have been to Japan to spread the word baseball many, many times, and I am always so pleased with the warm reception the people give me.They are very respectful, generous and warm, and I will always appreciate their kindness.

So far, the tour has been a tremendous success.I began this adventure in San Diego on the first day of ticket sales.I appeared on every local TV station, and on local radio stations to promote awareness of the Classic.At the end of the day, 20,000 fans bought tickets to the finals and semi-finals.

San Diego is a great place.It has a beautiful new ball park, lots of enthusiastic baseball fans and one of the best Italian restaurants in the country, Busalacchi’s, which, of course, I visited for lunch.

Our second stop on the tour was Seattle, which was another success.Included in my duties as ambassador of the Classic, I have to continue to reinforce the point that this tournament is international, and it will feature the best players in the world playing for their home countries.The Classic is a reminder of how large baseball has become around the world, as well as serving as another vehicle to bring people from different backgrounds together through a common love, baseball.In Seattle, there are many Japanese baseball fans that love the Mariners, and love Ichiro.Another reason this tournament is so great is when Mariner fans go to Phoenix to follow their team during Spring Training, they can also see part of the first round of the Classic, which is also being played in Phoenix.I?m really excited about this.

But don?t think it was all work and no fun in Seattle.I too time to visit the Pike Place Market.While I was there, I sampled some smoked salmon, which was delicious, but I also had the opportunity to catch a fish, literally.

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10 Comments

Hello Tommy,
I am so glad the WBC is gaining in popularity and will be a great success, in part due to your involvement and great work.

What i am most proud of is that wherever you go, your recognized as a Dodger first! Everyone in Japan knows that your a great Dodger, and that is terrific!

I remember visiting Japan when Hideo Nomo was a Dodger and at the top of his game. Everyone in Japan would stop whatever they were doing to watch a satelite transmission of the Dodger game whenever he pitched. The giant Sony video screen in the heart of Tokyo would stop traffic. Everyone wanted to watch the Dodgers play. It seems everyone who wore a baseball hat wore a Dodger hat at that time in Japan.

Your involvement in the WBC not only gets the word out for that exciting endevour but keeps the great Dodgers name in the forefront!

Tom,
Not sure why you made those ridiculous comments about Hideki Matsui and Tadahito Iguchi. They are talking about working 100% for their team and city. They are attempting to represent with all they have and you backstab them for doing that? Are you out of your mind? Then again you stabbed the Dodgers in the back promoting Hector Carrasco from the Dominican just to make a few extra bucks when you should have been promoting the Dodgers players to Japan. How the **** can you talk about Faithful and dodger blue when you do stuff like that. Lets see working for LA & getting paid, Kintetsu and getting paid, and taking a percentage from players forcing them to sign from your dominican muscle man….to me that sounds funny! Please give me feedback, I have a ton more for you bro.

I was wondering if the US team doesn’t win the WBC will it have a negative affect on the game. The reason I ask this question for the following reason. In 1972 Canada and Russia face other to determine which country was better at the game of hockey. Canada did win the series against Russia. However, the series did open our eyes to the fact that Canada no longer dominated the game of hockey. Do you feel that a similar thing could happen to the American game of Baseball.

The U.S does not currently dominate the game of baseball. Cuba has been dominating the international scene for decades… I don’t think it’ll have that much of a negative impact if the US team ends up losing.

Glad to hear that you enjoyed your time in Seattle. It looks like your time here helped break our streak of 25+ consecutive rainy days. We’ve got a beautiful ballpark here, but for some of us California transplants, Mariner Teal is a poor substitute for Dodger Blue.

All of the Dodger faithful are proud of you and your involvement with the WBC?keep up the good work!

For a long time you have referred to Dodger Stadium as ?Blue Heaven? and I was wondering if you knew how the colors of the Dodger uniform were originally selected?given that they play in such a celestial place. Maybe you could also comment on the genesis of Dodger Blue because to me even the colors of the Dodger uniform represent The Trinity?Blue emblematic of the royalty of God, White representing His Holiness and Red, the blood of the Lamb, Jesus, sacrificed to redeem us from our sins. Blue Heaven indeed!

Prior to Frank and Jamie taking over the team, I had a number of discussions with Bob Daly regarding the establishment of a Team Chaplain position for The Dodgers. At the time, Bob was reluctant to provide a chaplain for the team because, in his words, ?it has not been done before in baseball.? Not wanting to dispute the fact that other MLB teams such as the Angles have had a chaplain on staff for years, I simply reminded Bob that the Dodgers have a history of being the frontrunner in baseball.

Last year, while attending a game, I did have a brief discussion with Frank about a chaplaincy position for the Dodgers (following up on a prior to Sarah) but I did not get any direct feedback concerning the issue.

I would like to offer my services to the team on a voluntary, no-cost basis. My convictions are that the team (now more than ever) needs moral direction and discipleship?focusing on individual and team spiritual needs. My approach to this ministry would be informal?simply making myself available to players, staff and coaches?individually or corporately?for the purpose of building them up in the Spirit of love and grace in Christ.

My focus in ministry will be non-denominational?no one particular religious group will ever be given dominance?only the principles and promises found in His Holy Word to re-dedicate, strengthen & restore our souls so that we all may run the race of life to win the imperishable prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus our Lord & Savior.

I’m a die-hard Dodger fan who practically grew up loving the game of baseball in the Philippines. I know you are such a wonderful ambassador of the game and I draw inspiration from that in fostering the sustainable development of baseball in the Philippines. To that effect I have co-founded an adult baseball organization called the Titans Baseball Club. Unfortunately while the Philippines has a century-rich tradition of baseball, it has been compromised in the past three decades by the unstable socio-economic climate, politics, and media neglect among others. I would appreciate any insights or suggestions you might have for Philippine baseball. Thank you sir and God bless.

I sincerely hope you are planning to visit Australia before the WBC starts. Our country is in dire need of more media coverage about the WBC, On the TV News or TV Chat shows as well as in the newspapers and on the internet locally.

Australians are still mainly Cricket lovers and Baseball is considered a minor sport here. In saying that many young Aussie players are signed Pro in the USA each season and our own club http://www.asl.baseball.com.au has 5 junior players signed Pro the last 5 years. One of which, Dave Sutherland has a bright future ahead in your own Dodger organisation.

I get sick and tired of negative comments about the WBC…. some fans just cannot see the big picture about World Baseball. I love your positive outlook about Baseball and life in general.

I’m a Baseball player from the 70’s and Coach Juniors now and play a bit still in Australia and was lucky enough to live in LA a few years and attend many Dodger games when you managed. I loved watching Orel Hershiser bat butcher boys and pitch, Kirk Gibson, Mickey Hatcher and was there one day when Ramon Martinez hit a Home Run and the 20+inning game in Houston one night on TV when you had Mickey Hatcher pitching !!!. My wife grew up in California listening to Dodger games on the radio with her dad and my workmates uncle in California was Transport manager for the LA Dodgers for many years since the 1960’s.

The Dodgers are MY TEAM ( except for Australia of course). I was especially honoured to meet and chat with Roy Campanella one day on my way into Dodger Stadium.

I hope you get to come to Australia Tommy and preach the WBC and Baseball gospel ( Do you still bleed Dodger Blue???)

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